Posted March 8th, 2010 by hiwayhowie
COPs on the Hill
Stories from the week of March 5, 2010
Sign of desperation: It was a radio week, as I was on three shows. The first and longest (2 hours) was on the popular talk radio station here in Frederick, Maryland. The radio guy who invited me was a strong believer in all prohibition, as was the other guest, Charlie Smith the chief prosecutor of this county of 200,000.
In the first 5 minutes the prosecutor, Charlie stated that since I wanted to legalize/regulate marijuana, I must be in favor of 7 year olds girls having sex. We went to commercial and he apologized off-microphone. The slur* was an indicator of how desperate, how lacking in rational talking points the prohibition crowd has become. On Saturday at the coffee shop a gentleman walked up and asked if I were the guy on the radio. He agreed with the COPs position and the other guys’ points were “ridiculous.”
Could you take a look?: This week I was asked by a House staffer to review and comment on a draft* letter which will later go out to all Congressional offices which have an established program for the medicinal use of marijuana. ( 146 Members)
On the flip side I met with the new health and science advisor to the Swiss ambassador to the United States. I asked him to have his colleagues back in Switzerland review my summary of their successful treatment program which includes the use of heroin to addicted patients.
Twenty more years to repeal federal MJ prohibition: This estimate/statement was made during my original presentation to the general counsel* and legislative director to one US Senator on Friday. I countered with five years after the first state repeals its state-wide MJ prohibition. That is THE reason Misty and I are spending 10 weeks in California this fall.
- Slur = Beleidigung
- Draft = erste Versuch
- General counsel = Anwalt
COPs stats for first seven months of its first year:
274 presentations to Congressional Staffers
6 presentations to VIPs (elected officials)
29 published Letters to the Editor (that we know of)
Numerous conferences, hearings & briefings attended. C-Span broadcast my question at a Senate briefing
8 radio shows
Two TV interviews (Colombian TV) & Fox
Consider being a member of COPs at $30.00 or more per year. It is tax-deductible. Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow. Go to: www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or check.
Thank you,
Howard
Modern Prohibition/The War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional & immoral domestic policy since slavery & Jim Crow.
Posted March 6th, 2010 by hiwayhowie
The Drug Enforcement Administration reports in 2009, “Drugs are readily available to America’s youth.” As my colleagues Sheriff Jerry Modena and Police Chief Mike Burns come together to form a drug task force, taxpayers need to know that all the arrests the task force makes will be without meaning. All of us in law enforcement know that an arrested drug dealer is quickly replaced, usually within days. The real victims are the taxpayers.
Want to make every drug dealer in Georgia disappear? Repeal drug prohibition — legalize/regulate and tax the heck out of the drugs.
Howard Wooldridge
Albany
Published on March 4, 2010 in the Macon Telegraph
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n158/a09.html?397
Posted March 6th, 2010 by hiwayhowie
I am writing in response to Sarah Reyes’ column, “Heads vs. Feds lights fresh debate.” As a police officer who worked the trenches of marijuana prohibition and the war on drugs for 18 years, I believe intoxicants should not be judged by their effects, but by their threat to the community. During my entire police career, I was sent on zero calls generated by the use of marijuana. Compared to the extremely dangerous drug, alcohol, I found very little harm associated with marijuana.
The police should return to their historic role of public safety, not personal safety. If you have a drug problem, see a doctor and a clinic – not a cop and a jail.
Howard Wooldridge detective/officer ( retired ) drug policy specialist Citizens Opposing Prohibition
Published on March 1, 2010 in the The Daily Evergreen, (Washington State U)
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n158/a04.html?397
Posted February 28th, 2010 by hiwayhowie
COPs on the Hill
Stories from the week of February 26, 2010
Back in the Trenches: This was a ‘normal’ week After all the energy and frenzied* pace of CPAC last week, it was pleasant to just attend several meetings (one on the Webb bill), write an oped and do 18 presentations on Thursday and Friday.
One Step Forward: Waiting for the elevator in Longworth, I noticed a Congressman walking down the hall with whom I had had a good chat at CPAC. As he approached a few yards to my left, he spotted me, changed direction and came over to say hi and shake my hand. He remarked how I had ‘cleaned up’ from the CPAC t-shirt. It was a first for having a Member of Congress go out of their way to say hi to me. And it only took four years! LOL
One Step Back: Stepping into my 10th office on Thursday, the Congressman was just coming out of his office. He stopped to shake my hand and asked what his office could do. We ended up chatting for 90 seconds after I told him I was the police voice on the Hill in opposition to the War on Drugs. He closed the chat by saying, “Raymond Kelly is the man I listen to on that issue.”
On the train home a friend and advisor stated that Kelly was the police commissioner of New York City. Kelly has been pushing for ever more simple possession marijuana arrests in the Big Apple.
Your COP donations at work: Since last August, COPs has made: (this will be a regular part of every newsletter)
267 presentations to Congressional Staffers
5 presentations to VIPs (elected officials)
27 published Letters to the Editor (that we know of)
Numerous conferences, hearings & briefings attended. C-Span broadcast my question at a Senate briefing
5 radio gigs
Two TV interviews (Colombian TV) & Fox
*frenzied =wahnsinnig
Consider being a member of COPs at $30.00 or more per year. It is tax-deductible. Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow. Go to: www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join.
Thank you,
Howard
Modern Prohibition/The War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional & immoral domestic policy since slavery & Jim Crow.
Posted February 27th, 2010 by hiwayhowie
Pot is a Distraction: published on February 18, 2010 in the Free Lance-Star, Fredericksbury, VA
As a retired police detective, I certainly agree with Richard Moter’s thoughtful letter [“Legalization of marijuana is no joke,” Feb. 12].
Every hour we chase the Michael Phelpses and the Willie Nelsons of the Commonwealth (of Virginia), we have less time for the deadly reckless and DUI drivers, and less time for catching child molesters and other public safety threats.
My profession needs to return to its original purpose: public safety.
If you have a problem with marijuana, alcohol, or cigarettes, see a doctor for treatment. The Thin Blue Line has much more important tasks.
Howard Wooldridge
Washington
